ON THE WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, 23 March 1918, Page 5

ON THE WESTERN FRONT.

ENEMY FORCES TRYING, TO JUNCTION. WILL SUPPORTED BY * ." '.;'.. ARTILLERY. - ) Received 11.5. LONDON, March 22. Mr. Pereival. Phillips writes: • The attack is apparently the beginning of the great offensive. No doubt the enemy hopes the attacking forces, westward and south westward of Cambrai will form a junction, cutting off a considerable slice- of the .British front, and taking back all the Hinden* burg trenches lost; four months ago. I The preliminary-wire cutting bombardment began eatly In the morning between theScarpe } -and Vendeine) southward, Of St. Quentins, The first infantryj "attack 'came soon after daylight,, tie enemy displaying great vigor and determination!„ The correspondent is unable to reported pearan^e\^tha^6msr v tanks. The iher jaerial are pell trained ; ifQr ti.vr sgssSfare and well supported by light and heavy artillery ands>a host*, of trench *«jportar» ftvhich stead* fly with the advancing .infantry, | ? GERMANS FEVERISHLY INTERS | &S&;q »&' '.: •'■ [ I poog vtro w C'irslq fiaj &.i siai \

( FOR' W#LD f 'Sbe?Ween" briton Arfo iKuroif.

| ' March 22. '.

; The 'Taglsche Rundschau" German people will follow the offensive with feverish interest, . and states: We are now enetred upon the battle for a decisive peace. The single combat between Britain and Germany will decide our future postion In the world, and whether the AngloSaxons will continue to press their will upon the world.

FIGHTING AT BULLECOURT.

MANY TROOPS BEHIND WEST FRONT.

Received 12.20.

LONDON, March 22.

Mr. Philip Gibbs writes: An intense bombardment began at five o'clock in the morning from southward of the Sc'arpe and to westward of Bullecourt, near Croiselles, and as far south as our right flank. Then followed an infantry affack against strategic points on a 45-mi Jes front, between the Scarpe and Largincourt.

Whether they attacked further, south I don't know. What places were'chiefly attacked were Bullecourt, where the Australians, Scots, and Londoners fought last year, and Lagnicourt and Norieul. The enemy suffered" immense>ii©sse&- owing "to their massed formatipni.fhe,attaeks.slackened early thi&!'morning?;. ■ • ;

|_ The Milan correspondent reports that news from Switzerland states that Germany is continually massing troops both on the West front and inland. The Germans are withdrawing civilians from the frontier towns, and the Austrians are doing the same at Belluno, Cividale, and other invaded towns.